Starting Firearm for an Exceptionally Small Woman

[Gun_Nut_2k1]

I agree a .357 is too big for a small person. I find that my sight picture gets fubar, especially shooting .357, the frame is a little bigger than a .38, and that is the issue.

Actually the grip would be the same on a K frame, 38 or 357mag. I have never compared the two but the 22lr variants did not feel noticeably smaller than the 38/357mag K frames. Also I have been shooting a 357mag since I was smaller than most adult woman. Physical size is less important than good training, but the intensity of the round does have a huge factor in follow up shots. Since the weapon is nominally the same size one can train with the less powerful 38 special cartridge and never graduate to the 357mag. That person would still be well armed. That being said in a situation where one has 357mag rounds and a 38 revolver, you are up a creek. You are never going to get the combo to work. In a PAW where ammo selection is much less reliable, it makes since to have the most versatile weapon out there. I have always been interested in the Medusa just for that reason.

[ZombieSoldier01]

i got my wife a Walther P22 for her first weapon. She is 5'4" and 95 pounds. As a matter of fact, ArmyDawg11B is my soldier and he will attest she is small. She loves that little handgun. she said it feels like the weapon was designed for HER hands directly. Your hand in the natural rest position is how it fits in your hand. natural. perfect. she loves it so much that i offered to sell her gun and upgrade to a 380 or 9mm and she basically told me to get bent. she refuses to get rid of it. but she does want a bigger toy, so looks lik she will soon own her 2nd gun. she is just trying to figure out if she wants a 380/9mm pistol, 270 rifle or a 20 gauge shotty

[clc]

I got a Sig P238 for my GF and it fits her hand really well. I've also had her train with my Ruger single six and my friends little Beretta.

[greenbeetle]

.22lr pistol seems good though one could get into the "does it have enough stopping power?" debate.
+1 for .32
+1 for 5.7 if you have the cash and it fits her hands. It's got a clunky grip.

For someone that small a 9mm will probably scare her away.

[areswithguns]

First of all stopping power is a myth. I say that from being raised around firearms all my life. I have never seen a 45 rip a animals limb off or knock even a coyote to the ground and I have killed many things with my 1911. Second thing is that a 22lr is a very deadly caliber and not to be toyed with. However you must be very cautious of shot placement and I would go as far as to suggest a basic understanding of your intended targets ( if you have one ) anatomy. Also you need to become very confident that you can hit what you aim at otherwise a 22lr is simply not for you. I have hunted wild hogs, coyotes and plenty of other stuff with a 22lr and have yet to run into any animal that it will not kill with one shot.

For the miss in question, I would suggest one of my personal favorites a browning lever action 22lr. Or if she is not into the lever guns a ruger 1022 is a nice rifle than can be customized to fit her personal needs. My lever actions was made for a small person but im 6 feet tall and love it to each there own. If she is ( and most women are ) afraid of firearms even in the slightest bit she needs a small caliber to start off with and make sure she uses ear and eye protection. If you are to teach her yourself then make sure she is in a" safe" environment and you must have confidence in yourself and what you are teaching her. Otherwise you take a risk into her becoming even more frightened and maybe even giving up. If you have any doubt in your ability then it would be best for her to attend proper training courses.

[manwiche]

For recreation/firearm familiarization/initial skills development .22 rifle/revolver/pistol

For defense after they are familiar enough to properly employ a firearm and be more of a danger to a threat than the firearm is to them and everyone around them. .38 spl or larger cal Handgun with a 3" or larger barrel. 20g or 12g shotgun. 5.56, 30/30, .30 carbine, pistol caliber carbine, or similar caliber rifle/carbines.

Whatever you do, do not buy mouse guns for new shooters or smaller people. 5 shot revolvers, pocket pistols, etc are experts guns. They are harder to shoot all around, shorter sight radius, less projectiles, harder to hold correctly, and when you get a hit in a critical zone they are less effective.

Every time I hear "Yep we will be coming to train ... I'm bringing my (insert gynormous pistol) and the little lady is bringing her (insert tiny gun)" my idiot radar goes wild.

[Pug Puppy]

Hearing protection and 'limbsaver' recoil pad. M1 carbine or Mini-14 are good choices, too.